Herefordshire pub receives £92k funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund

The ancient building is linked with cultural figures from poet Lord Byron to musician Mike Oldfield during its 400+ year history. A central aim of the project is to help address social inequalities in Kington, which falls in England’s top 25% most deprived rural areas.

Open Arms Kington has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to progress their plans for the restoration of The Oxford Arms in Kington and its renovation into a community space, it was announced today. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, Open Arms Kington aims to preserve the building’s rich heritage while returning the space to the community as a venue for events and services, as well as boosting the local economy and providing jobs through its pub and B&B offering.

Development funding of £92,496 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Open Arms Kington progress their plans to enable them to apply for a full grant of £1.13 million at a later date. The OAK team would also like to thank the Architectural Heritage Fund, who are providing match funding for this development phase of the project.

The Oxford Arms in Kington is a historic, Grade II-listed coaching inn with medieval roots that has been at the heart of Kington’s community for over five centuries. Without support from the Heritage Fund the building would fall further into disrepair and be lost to Kington’s future. Today’s announcement coincides with Heritage Treasures Day, an annual celebration of heritage saved for communities across the UK thanks to funding from National Lottery players over the last 30 years.

The project is returning the space to the community: providing a diverse and inclusive events program, a dedicated provision for young people, a thriving pub and B&B business to boost the local economy through jobs and tourism, and a venue for vital services from health clinics to citizens’ advice.

Plans will be progressed and refined during the project’s development phase, including seeking further funding and support towards the costs of delivering the project. Building work is currently projected to begin in Spring 2026.

The development phase will also include a review of The Oxford Arms’ business model, to ensure that it is owned and run for long term inclusive community benefit. Open Arms Kington strongly encourages community involvement in the project, and is keen to hear the community’s views on the proposed plans, and its ideas to help meet fundraising goals.

The project aims to undertake the vital work necessary to restore this heritage building and safely reopen it for the local community and tourists. It will connect visitors with The Oxford Arms’ long and significant history, linked with cultural figures from poet Lord Byron to musician Mike Oldfield. It will provide training and volunteer opportunities in a heritage project, and preserve the building as the heart of Kington’s community for many years to come.

A central aim of Open Arms Kington is to help address social inequalities in Kington, which falls in England’s top 25% most deprived rural areas. Benefits of the project include strengthening community connection through a dedicated social space and diverse events program, as well as hosting vital services to improve physical and mental wellbeing. The project will provide training and volunteering opportunities for all, with a particular focus on young people and those without qualifications. The pub and community spaces will be made fully accessible for all users.

When the building is once again made functional as a pub and B&B, it will boost economic opportunities for Kington through provision of tourist accommodation and local jobs.

All work related to the project, events and conservation embed principles driving toward a Net Zero energy goal for The Oxford.

Judith Gardner, Director and Chairperson of Open Arms Kington said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to preserve the rich heritage of The Oxford Arms while contributing to the regeneration of our community – transforming the building into a vibrant, inclusive space where everyone can feel a sense of belonging”.